If you are looking for the cream in the Big Ten Conference this football season, look no farther than the Legends Division.
The Legends could have the Big Ten’s best teams. College football preview guru Phil Steele predicts Nebraska will win the division with Michigan and Michigan State in the two and three positions respectively. Steele believes both Michigan schools could contend for a divisional championship. That’s how evenly matched the three teams look.
The Leaders division is a different story. Wisconsin should win the division easily. In a regular year, Ohio State would challenge but the Buckeyes are ineligible for the title in 2012. That leaves the challengers as Illinois, Purdue, Penn State and Indiana. Can you say weak division? The most excitement could become the battle for fifth place between Penn State and Indiana. With all the problems at Penn State with conflict and player departures, the Hoosiers may have an opportunity to escape last place.
I think the Big Ten has two teams that could make noise on the national stage.
Nebraska finished just 9-4 last season, but the Huskers return seven players each on offense and defense. Nebraska has four difficult conference games with two of those at home. Wisconsin and Michigan come to Lincoln, but the Huskers must travel to Ohio State and Michigan.
Michigan will not contend for a national title, but could place a roadblock in another team’s quest. The Wolverines oppose Alabama in the opener in Arlington, Texas. Michigan has a brutal schedule including true road games at Notre Dame, Nebraska and Ohio State. Its in-state battle with Michigan State is at home.
Who do you like in the Big Ten Conference this season?
Showing posts with label Leaders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leaders. Show all posts
Monday, August 6, 2012
Friday, January 14, 2011
Is the Big Ten Serious?
According to news reports, the Big Ten has decided to keep its Leaders and Legends divisions for at least one season. Wow.
You might recall there was terrible backlash when the conference first announced its decision to go with the two names. Is the Big Ten just plain stubborn?
I have written about this situation before. Remember my comparison about old Coke and new Coke? After replacing new Coke with old Coke, the company caved to the public outcry when people wanted old Coke back.
The Big Ten could have saved itself some time and money and listened to its public outcry. But to paraphrase an old song, “Some people have to learn the hard way.”
Obviously the conference is hoping people will forget their outcry and buy into these names. But I say good luck with that. I wouldn’t bet the family farm on it.
It’s a new beginning for the Big Ten. But I see shades of old in this decision.
You might recall there was terrible backlash when the conference first announced its decision to go with the two names. Is the Big Ten just plain stubborn?
I have written about this situation before. Remember my comparison about old Coke and new Coke? After replacing new Coke with old Coke, the company caved to the public outcry when people wanted old Coke back.
The Big Ten could have saved itself some time and money and listened to its public outcry. But to paraphrase an old song, “Some people have to learn the hard way.”
Obviously the conference is hoping people will forget their outcry and buy into these names. But I say good luck with that. I wouldn’t bet the family farm on it.
It’s a new beginning for the Big Ten. But I see shades of old in this decision.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
The Big Ten in an Ooops Moment
Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delaney said yesterday that the conference may have to call an audible regarding the name of the two new divisions.
People just don’t like Legends and Leaders. They really don’t like the names. As you know, I was one of those people. Remember my old Coke, new Coke comparison?
Traditionally the Big Ten moves slowly. But you have to give the conference credit for quickly owning up to its blunder.
Why doesn’t the Big Ten run a contest and have the fans vote on the names? Give the gal/guy with the winning names tickets to the Big Ten basketball championships or the new Big Ten title game?
Delaney said that he wants to promote the conference not drive fans away. My idea would promote goodwill and drive fans to the conference.
It will be interesting to see what happens. People are watching and waiting. They are really watching and waiting. Delaney has the outcries to prove it.
People just don’t like Legends and Leaders. They really don’t like the names. As you know, I was one of those people. Remember my old Coke, new Coke comparison?
Traditionally the Big Ten moves slowly. But you have to give the conference credit for quickly owning up to its blunder.
Why doesn’t the Big Ten run a contest and have the fans vote on the names? Give the gal/guy with the winning names tickets to the Big Ten basketball championships or the new Big Ten title game?
Delaney said that he wants to promote the conference not drive fans away. My idea would promote goodwill and drive fans to the conference.
It will be interesting to see what happens. People are watching and waiting. They are really watching and waiting. Delaney has the outcries to prove it.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
What's Up With the Big Ten?
The Big Ten has always been a different kind of league. Who else out there in conference land had 11 teams for a number of years and still called itself the Big Ten? And now with Nebraska joining the conference (to make 12) the Big Ten is still, well, the Big Ten. And still has a logo depicting the Big Ten
But Monday’s announcements were real head shakers.
One six-team division will now be called “Legends,” the other “Leaders.” I hope the conference didn’t pay some marketing firm $4 million for their expertise with that. Wow. What’s wrong with a directional name? I know. It’s too simply and yet complex because the schools are in all directions. But, really, how are fans going to remember what teams are in what divisions with Legends and Leaders?
Didn’t the Big Ten learn anything from the ACC. The ACC calls its divisions “Coastal” and “Atlantic” and I would be hard pressed to tell you the breakdown. But again, the Big Ten wants to be a different kind of league.
And what about the new logo?
I think the youth of America would call it “retro.” Simply stated, it’s old-fashioned. There is no mention of the 12 teams in the logo. At least, the old logo had a small reference to the 11 teams.
I wonder if there will become a fan outcry or if these changes will just become a fact of life in the Big Ten.
Remember when the soft drink old Coke™ became new Coke™. People didn’t like it so much that the company brought the old Coke™ back. In this case, the Big Ten seems stuck in the old without even asking the fans about the new.
But Monday’s announcements were real head shakers.
One six-team division will now be called “Legends,” the other “Leaders.” I hope the conference didn’t pay some marketing firm $4 million for their expertise with that. Wow. What’s wrong with a directional name? I know. It’s too simply and yet complex because the schools are in all directions. But, really, how are fans going to remember what teams are in what divisions with Legends and Leaders?
Didn’t the Big Ten learn anything from the ACC. The ACC calls its divisions “Coastal” and “Atlantic” and I would be hard pressed to tell you the breakdown. But again, the Big Ten wants to be a different kind of league.
And what about the new logo?
I think the youth of America would call it “retro.” Simply stated, it’s old-fashioned. There is no mention of the 12 teams in the logo. At least, the old logo had a small reference to the 11 teams.
I wonder if there will become a fan outcry or if these changes will just become a fact of life in the Big Ten.
Remember when the soft drink old Coke™ became new Coke™. People didn’t like it so much that the company brought the old Coke™ back. In this case, the Big Ten seems stuck in the old without even asking the fans about the new.
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